Great Britain
Community Lions U18 team are preparing to face
South Africa Students in Pretoria on Wednesday
29th June 2011, KO; 6.30pm.

The young Lions have
selected what Head Coach Kelvin Lockett believes
are the best players on the day to start.
Changes include selecting tour captain David
Pike at Loose Forward and switching loose
forward Kenny Baker to link up on the right side
with club mate Declan O`Loughlin.
Cumbrian Blake Mahovic will play on the left
linking up with his club half Alistair Leak from
West Cumbria. In the three quarters Jack Jones
is selected to partner Nathan Skupski, Joe
Bullock of Blackpool is retained on the right
wing.

Sam
Forester another West Cumbrian who scored a
hat-trick on Saturday is preferred on the wing
with Ryan Millar from Birmingham Bulls selected
on the replacement bench.

Two
try sensation on Saturday Jake Corney makes his
full debut at full back. Other changes include
the selection of Gareth Morgan to start in the
front row with hooker Marcus O`Brien and solid
front rower Brett Whitehead from Wigan.

Experienced half back Cumbrian Callum Phillips,
holder of 16 Community Lions u18s caps and will
end his u18 career with 17 caps, a record that
will take some beating, is considered fit to
start on the bench. All the boys on the bench
will figure at some time during the game.

Head
Coach Kelvin Lockett said "I expect the boys to
do well on Wednesday, preparations have been
first class, all the squad will play at some
time, we expect this game to be our strongest
test and have prepared for that outcome.".

The BARLA Western Australia tourists were so close
to reaching their goal of returning back home
undefeated in all 4 games but were narrowly defeated
in their final game by the WA state team 28-20 on
Friday night.

The final game of the tour was the curtain raiser to
the South Sydney Rabbitohs v Brisbane Broncoes which
went on the road to nib Stadium in Perth for its
third consecutive season in support of the WA's bid
for a NRL team in 2013.

The Western Austalia state team which won the state
championships on the week of BARLAs arrival named a
strong squad from its domestic first grade
competition and included 15 players from the 3 teams
BARLA defeated en route to the final game. The
majority of those 15 players however didn't feature
in any of those warm-up games being able to rest
after the state championships.

The WA team came out guns blazing while BARLA looked
to be over oared by the occasion in the 20,000
seater stadium filling nicely for the NRL fixture.
The hosts opened their account with a penalty
conversion from scrum half Rowan Hastings 10 minutes
into the 35 minute each way half, the game being cut
by 10 minutes due to scheduling problems with the
telecaster.

The WA state team looked to be well in control of
the game with BARLA looking extremely fatigued in
defence from a quick turnaround from Tuesday night's
victory over Fremantle Roosters.

North Beach 5/8 Craig Phillis extended the hosts
hold on the game with the first try of the match
after a jinking run left the BARLA side flat footed,
Hastings added the easy goal.

The elite GB amateurs showed real character to
overcome the nightmare 20 minute start and began to
make some inroads with ball in hand. Carl Booth,
Dave Lowery and Trevor Penrose got over the
advantage line and with that field position were
able to turn around deeper into the WA half.

With 10 minutes left of the reduced half East Hull
stand off opened the BARLA account with an attacking
kick through from close quarters, the ball
ricocheted of the defence and Puckering collected
his own kick before going under the posts to make
his own attempt at goal a formality.

Now only 2 points behind the tourists were truly
back in the game and found the confidence they'd
shown in the previous 3 victories. Ryan Fieldhouse
showed the from the Leigh East fullback has enjoyed
throughout the tour with several deceiving breaks
from his own half.

Only 3 minutes before the interval BARLA took the
lead when Shaw Cross wingman and tour top scorer Pat
Foulstone finished off a flowing move in the corner
to add his 4th try of the tour on the touchline.

BARLA looked to have turned the game in their favour
but with just 20 seconds left on the clock WA broke
down field. Despite BARLA stopping the primary
attack the next play exposed gaps on the edge when
Blane Edwards went in at the corner to regain the
lead going into the interval 12-10.

To add insult to injury over the last minute score
in the first half the next score 3 minutes after the
restart further deflated BARLAs hopes of victory.
Delane Edwards proved to be a continuous thorn in
the tourists side in attack and got over for his
second try of the evening. Rowan Hastings adding the
extras to go 18-10 up.

BARLA stuck at their task as Kells forward Dave
Lowery made a massive impression from the
interchange. The tourists got back into the game 10
minutes into the second half when Myton's Carl Booth
continued his hard work breaking down his centre
crossing the try line or a much needed score. Carl
Puckering added the conversion and his side was back
in the game trailing by only two points 18-16.

Just like the first half BARLA couldn't get a
consistent roll on the hosts and were left heart
broken when they let the game slip with two
quick-fire tries from Delane Edwards and Blake
Champion, Hastings converting one of the efforts to
propel them to a 12 point lead with 15 minutes left
to play.

BARLA to their credit never threw in the towel
despite the obvious fatigue from the pace of the
game and a 2 day quick turnaround. Seaton Rangers
towering second rower Brett Phillips managed to give
the tourists a glimmer of hope as his outside angled
run put him over to reduce the deficit. The
conversion attempt was unsuccessful which meant they
would need more than a converted try to push for
extra time.

With around 8 minutes left to rescue the game the
heavens opened with torrential rain which would
flood the game for the NRL game following the
curtain raiser.

The conditions didn't help BARLA's cause with a few
handling errors but managed to enjoy some long
periods close to the line but WA defended
resolutely.

Steve McDermott came close to scoring near the end
to setup a grandstand finish. The Halton Simms
Cross' hooker chipped through close the line and
collected himself but couldn't ground cleanly and it
wasn't to be BARLAs dream close to a superb tour.

The BARLA GB Lions retained their 100% success rate
while on their tour of Western Australia with a
42-16 over Fremantle Roosters. The final club game
of the 3 week tour proved to be the biggest workout
of all 3 games which will stand them in good
position for their final game on Friday when they
play the Western Australia state team as a curtain
raiser to South Sydneys Rabbitohs v Brisbane
Broncoes match in Perth.

It was nip and took for the opening stages of the
game as both sides took measure of each other and
Fremantle were able to enjoy some early pressure
forcing 2 repeat sets from GB tourists. BARLA had
the opportunity to open the scoring as Chris Walker
and Danny Mason combined but a strong scramble
defence from the Roosters denied them the try in the
corner.

While Fremantle held the majority of ball possession
they were always going to look to score and they
gave their vocal support something to cheer for as
Dylan Dwyer put the hosts in the lead when a dab
kick through on the last tackle was deflected for
the fullback to pounce on. Karl Mardune added the
easy extras.

Some direct running from interchange props Trevor
Penrose and Dave Lowery managed to get BARLA back
within scoring distance and had several chances down
the right handside which passed without success.
Noticing the success in attack down the right flank
BARLA continued to pressure that side of the field
and near the half hour mark were rewarded for their
efforts with an unconverted try.

Soft hands across from the left to the right found
Leigh East fullback Ryan Fieldhouse linking in the
line to give Skirlaugh's Stu Smith an extra yard of
space and after looking to go alone supplied his
Skirlaugh team mate Mike Johnson out on the wing.

With Fremantle's defence looking exposed down the
flank BARLA used a similar play minutes later this
time Jon Paul Brocklebank getting involved in the
passing play to give Stu Smith the space to finish
the try himself this time. With the conversion
unsuccessful BARLA held only a slender 2 point
buffer with 10 minutes until the interval.

The tourists were able further the lead on the 36th
minute when the Roosters spilt the ball on the half
way line and Ryan Fieldhouse showed no hesitation in
turning defence to attack. The Leigh East fullback
collected the loose ball and dipped and dived
through the trailing grasps of the Roosters defence
and went in under the posts. Egremont Rangers JP
Brocklebank added the goal to give his side an 8
point lead with 4 minutes left of the half to play.

The BARLA side let that cushion slip moments before
the half time whistle when a towering kick from
scrum half Jake Treloar was split close to the line
and former West Hull loose forward James Wright
pounced on the loose ball to score against his
country mates. Luckily for BARLA the kick from out
wide was unsuccessful and the visitors held onto a
slender 10-14 lead.

The late first half try for the hosts didn't do much
to knock BARLAs confidence from the 3 try purple
patch and they pushed on to give themselves a bit
more comfort. A jinking run from Egremonts Rhys
Davies put Chris Walker with space down the
touchline side. The Oulton winger a former player
for Fremantle in 2009 used the touch as his friend
and burnt away his former team mates to go in for a
satisfying score coming in under the posts to make
JP Brocklebank's conversion a formality.

BARLA kept the scoreboard ticking over nicely but
had to do it the hard way after several petulant
decisions from the officials. Like in the game 6
days previous versus North Beach Carl Puckering
floated a kick over from a scrum in their own 10
metres and Shaw Cross Sharks winger Pat Foulstone
proved his electric pace to be the first to the
ball. East Hull's Carl Puckering added the goal and
BARLA were crusing with a 16 point lead.

That score was soon to be wiped out by the Roosters
who sit a the top of the Harvey Norman Western
Austria Premier league when the without a doubt
Roosters best player Brad Gibon crossed after
breaking several tackle attempts. Hooker Karl
Mardune once again added the goal.

With 20 minutes remaining the hosts were maybe
hopeful of a fight back only trailing by 10 but
Seaton Rangers giant second rower Brett Phillips
probably put paid to those hopes powering over the
line close to the posts. Puckering added the
conversion and BARLA looked safe 32-16 to the good.

In the closing 5 minutes of the game BARLA added
some gloss to the final scoreline as Pat Foulstone
went in for his brace at the corner after riding a
big challenge before Brett Phillips added his own
second try of the match at the death. Leigh Miners
loose forward Tom Bradbury added the final points of
the game.

Reflecting on the victory head coach John Fieldhouse
said "I'm really pleased that we've kept our
unbeaten record going into the final game. Their was
a lot of provocation from the officials tonight with
a 3 to 1 penalty count, it shouldn't ever be that,
even the opposition acknowledged we were hard done
by but if you look at the scoreboard 42-16 we played
some great rugby and put in some great tries I was
pleased how our halves Tom Elliott and Carl
Puckering worked together."

"Possession won us they game I think, in the second
half we were up in the high 70's with our
completion. That's what I asked of the guys at half
time and they gave everything I asked for in the
second half. We will need the same sort of
completion on Friday night against the WA side."

Johns assistant Kevin Thompson added "We'd lost a
little bit of intensity with the 6 day break since
the last game but I thought we got back into it very
well. They coped with the early pressure very nicely
and we were gradually wearing them down. We did find
ourselves on the back foot a little from the brunt
of the heavy penalty count meaning we were in our
own half too much but we worked on that and we came
out on strong terms and in control towards the
latter of the game."

With the victory Tuesday evening and now only 2
games preparation time before the final game of the
tour on Friday vs Western Australia as a curtain
raiser to the South Sydney Rabbitoes v Brisbane
Broncoes, Fieldhouse added "I think it's probably a
good thing that we have to turn around quickly from
this game into the state fixture on Friday. We'll
keep our focus through to the last game."

"There's no easy games while over here, we had our
weeks rest from the North Beach game and now instead
of resting before the final game we'll just keeping
the lads ticking over in training. Instead of doing
extra things in training to get us ready for the
state team I think this game was an excellent hit
out for the lads and will stand us in good stead for
an uncompromising game vs Western Australia."

The Western Australia 20 man squad named for the
final game include 15 from the 3 domestic clubs
BARLA have defeated. The state championship in which
W.A were crowned winners was played just before
BARLAs arrival and John Fieldhouse wasn't surprised
many of those 15 didn't feature in the warm-up games
saying
"I think they've realised that they'll need their
strongest team out to beat our strongest team and to
risk those players to injury in the warm-up games
would probably be the wrong move. I think its going
to be a fabulous game playing before such a
spectacle NRL game in Perth. I hope people get down
and support the game, it's going to be a massive
occasion win or lose but I want to win to meet our
goal of returning without defeat.

The prospect of returning home with anything other than a 100-percent record was
enough to ensure that a fired-up Young Lions side demolished every obstacle put
in front of them as they put the game to bed in a clinical first 20 minutes.

Miles Fairbank, in particular, looked like he was playing in those opening
stages as though his life depended on it. The Serbs simply couldnt stop the big
prop from Elland who swatted off opponents with
consummate ease. Outwide, Ben Swift, the Cockermouth centre backing up from
Wednesday, was superb in attack and defence as was his centre partner James
Duerdan, while the halfbacks Jacob Crossland and Jamie Usher kept things ticking
over.

Ashley Hutchinson also stamped his mark on the game with two tries in the
opening 11 minutes, firstly supporting captain Lewis Wilsons break and then
backing up Ushers mesmerising run. Crossland goaled both efforts.

Fairbank set up the third for Swift as he stormed into the Serbs half, arced
left and found his centre who beat his man and scored outwide. With the Lions in
this mood, it was game over.

Crossland droped the kick off, but the visitors goalline defence was superb - as
it was for most of the game; in marked contrast to Wednesday when it was found
wanting too often.

Up at the other end, Lewis Smith had a try disallowed thanks to a forward-pass
call but made amends on the half-hour mark when Crosslands majestic long cut-out
ball was snapped up by Tom Saltmer for his third try of the tour.

Four minutes later, hooker Sam Dowsett burrowed his way over for a short-range,
dummy-half try, with Crossland‚s goal making it 34-0.

But the biggest cheer of the day ws reserved for the powerful Serbian prop Milan
Strbac. The local butcher, with legs like plump sausages, produced a close-range
surge that took a couple of defenders over the line with him as he gleefully
slammed the ball down. Strbacs strong hit-ups had already caused the visitors a
couple of problems and his four-pointer was just reward for his efforts. Milos
Zogovic, who had a decent game at fullback, converted.

Despite conceding a handful of early penalties, the British started the second
half the stronger, looking to finish off their tour in style. When their defence
was tested, it held out, and when Wilson marauded upfield, the Serbian cover
defence only just got back. The ball was moved to the left where Swift drew the
last man and sent fullback Jack Ridsdill over the line.

Moments later, Ridsdill fulfilled the role of creator, as he put Crossland away
at the end of a 70-metre move. Crosslands subsequent conversion was majestic -
30 metres back right on the touchline. And it
won him a satisfying post-match beer, with a local supporter betting him he
would miss!

With 40 points in the bank, the visitors started to field their nine
substitutes, one by one, and the fluidity of their performance waned.

Todd Appleby smashing the luckless halfback, Stefan Nikolic, as he had done on
Wednesday, was the highlight of a drab, ten-minute lull, before Ross Gainford,
the tour captain, on from the bench, weaved across the field to send his Kells
clubmate Lewis Smith to the line.

Shortly after, Gainfords steepling bomb saw Nikolic all over the place and
Matthew Meaden, another sub, picked up the scraps to stroll over under the
posts. Applebys simple conversion brought an end to the scoring.

There were still 14 minutes to go, plus a sizeable amount of added-on time as
the game petered out. A brawl saw winger Rafik Boudersa sin-binned for bizarrely
launching himself into the action feet first,
and Gainford soon followed for questioning the referees subsequent decision to
penalise the British. In truth, BARLAs frustration at the massive penalty count
against them contributed to the lack of flowing
rugby played in the closing stages.

Ridsdill prevented a certain Serbian try with a magnificent cover tackle as
Radovan Tajsic, brilliant with ball in hand on Wednesday, looked odds-on to
score, before Nikolic‚€™s nightmare was compounded as he was binned for a high
shot on Rob Wilson in the final moments.

Delighted with his sides performance, joint coach Mark Robb said: "The guys
played really well and were a credit to themselves.
"The game was wrapped up early on but with so much going against them in the
second half, particularly the huge penalty count, it was fantastic to see the
lads keep the Serbians scoreless in that period.
"Its been a great tour and the players have conducted themselves magnificently."

The BARLA Great Britain open age side opened up
their 3 week Western Australia tour with a much
needed victory. Head coach John Fieldhouse
highlighted that an opening victory would stand
the rest of the tour in good sted, and his 20
man team didn‚€™t disappoint with a 32-14
victory over Rockingham Coastal Sharks.

Despite the convincing score line at the
fulltime whistle it was the west coast hosts
that opened the scoring and after a 15 minute
strong hold on the game fullback James Blackburn
supported on the inside to evade the covering
defence.

BARLA were battling hard to bring the arm
wrestle in their favour and they thought they‚€™d
levelled the scores when Leigh East fullback
Ryan Fieldhouse supported a magnificent break
but the referee pulled back play for a forward
pass. BARLA were making some hard yards with
Brett Phillips and Sam Radford doing some damage
up the middle and winger Carl Booth came in to
help out his forwards and looked strong with
ball in hand.

The BARLA tourists had to wait until the 26th
minute until they could register their first
points and it was superb try that went through
the several pairs of hands before Castleford
Lock Lane loose forward Craig Jeffels went under
the posts from 30 meters out on international
debut. East Hull stand off Carl Puckering added
the easy conversion to take the lead for the
first time.

The Great Britain front rowers had run their
blood to water for the opening 25 minutes and
were given a fully deserved rest and the
interchange forwards Myton‚€™s Lee Fewlass and
man of the match Simms Cross Mick Randall
carried on with that go forward.

With BARLA now in more control of the game they
started playing with more flair and on the front
foot were able to cross for 2 more scores. John
Paul Brocklebank finished a flowing play that
went through several hands before the Egremont
stand off finished in the corner. Carl Puckering
added the touch line goal to put 8 points in
between the sides.

6 minutes before the interval Skirlaugh winger
Mike Johnson showed fleet of foot to beat his
man on the outside and race in down the
touchside to go in for his second try of the
match. Puckering wasn‚€™t able to add the goal
from a similar position as the previous but
BARLA took a comfortable 12 point lead into the
interval but were looking more confident.

That confidence was evident from the restart
when after some strong defence to force the
error BARLA took advantage of the earned field
position. From the scrum Ryan Fieldhouse wet on
a jinking run and created a 2 on 1 on the wing
and supplied Skirlaugh winger Mike Johnson who
still had plenty to do to finish the try. Carl
Puckering added the testing conversion and the
Lions were 18 points to the good.

The Sharks hitback and through some hard yards
from front row Wellington Tuililoa and Rayne
Horrigan utilised some much needed field
position. The kicking of former BARLA
international Gudor set up the hosts respondent
try, a testing kick from the Siddal amateur was
spilt near the line and replacement hooker Alan
Cowen was the first to collect the loose ball
and dive over.

On the hour mark BARLA restored their attacking
prowess again some excellent support rugby as
Fieldhouse and Brocklebank combined to make the
initial break with Jeffels offering support and
then the final pass to Steve McDermott didn‚€™t
stick with the interchange hooker being deemed
to be tackled without the ball.

BARLA wanting to regain that 3 converted score
buffer added the easy penalty conversion by Carl
Puckering. Only minutes later the GB Lions were
able to find the 18 point cushion with another
Puckering successful attempt at goal when the
Sharks were guilty of trying to find an extra
couple of seconds at the play of the ball.

With the comfort of those 3 converted tries
BARLA tried to pile on the points but to the
hosts credit they held on heroically and made
the Lions work for their points with West Hulls
second rower Tom Radley being pulled down short.

With 8 minutes remaining BARLA added their final
score with Leigh East replacement stand off Adam
Holland ghosting through the line before
supplying East team mate Fieldhouse who went
under the sticks. Puckering closed his great day
with the boot with the successful conversion.

The Sharks gave their crowd something to cheer
for with the closing score of the game 2 minutes
from time. The hosts used the ball well to
supply centre Eddie Palelei who tied up several
defenders before offloading to his wingman
Vaiveni Talatala to cross in the corner. Hooker
Luke Faulkner added the extras from the
touchline to add a little more respectability to
the final score line.

Reflecting on the victory head coach John
Fieldhouse said
‚€œWe needed that victory, the boys worked hard
for it and the lads got their rewards. It‚€™s a
great start to the tour 1 down and 3 more to go.
‚€œ

‚€œI told the boys it would probably take 20
minutes to settle into the game and tire them
and start with our game plan an keep to the
structure I knew there wouldn‚€™t be a problem.
Once we started playing them in the right areas
of the field the performance started to come and
the some of the passing and kicking was good and
we scored some outstanding tries. ‚€œ

‚€œThe Sharks were everything we thought they‚€™d
be and they tested us to start with and came
strong again near the close but I thought we
took control in the second half.‚€Ě

‚€œI still think there‚€™s alot more to come
from us, there‚€™s some lads chomping at the bit
on the touchline and that stands us well for
hopefully another victory on Tuesday when we
play North Beach RLC.‚€Ě

‚€œI thought as a team when we clicked we played
well and I was pleased with our halfback
partnership and Ryan (Fieldhouse) got us out of
a few predicaments mopping up at the back. I
thought our front row ran well and took us
forward and when I swapped the full front row
with Fewlass, Randall and McDermott our go
forward improved even more.‚€Ě

GAMEBREAKER : Mick Randall on international
debut made a big impact from the bench and gave
the pack that little bit more go forward and won
every collision to get BARLA on the front foot
at the play of the ball.

GAMESTAR : Ryan Fieldhouse cleared up some
testing kicks at the back and in attacked
created lots of space with his jinking runs.

TOP TACKLE : Mike Johnson had the confidence to
show his opposing winger the outside and bundled
him into touch when scorers were close in the
first half.

The BARLA Great Britain Lions fly from Manchester Airport this afternoon
Monday 6th June for their tour of Western Australia

When the BARLA tourists land in Perth Australia on Tuesday 7th June it will
be on the back of a gruelling 20 hours of flight time and head coach John
Fieldhouse has warned the players must be ready to get some genuine hard
work under the belt.

Once arriving and settling into their 3 week temporary home they will only
have 3 days to recover from the flight and get some quality match
preparation in before their fixture with Rockingham Sharks on Saturday 11th
June.

Fieldhouse has earmarked the opening game as massively important for the
success of the overall tour saying

"We need to start as we mean to go on and the opening game will be real test
for us after the long haul flight. I've told our guys that they should be
upping their fitness programmes for the last 2 weeks not they've finished
their National Conference league club commitments."

With the National Conference League playoffs coming to an end with the Grand
Final where Thatto Heath Crusaders beat Siddal, all the squad but Thatto
prop forward Mike Randall have been able to concentrate on getting to their
peak fitness after a long and hard run in to the close of the season.

Fieldhouse went onto say

"We'll have 3 days of quality training and I want our guys to be ready to
put in genuine hard graft from the off. Most of the sessions will be match
preparation and going through the game plan myself and Kevin have put
together to hopefully win the opening match.

Although the Rockingham Sharks are the other side of the world and an
unknown entity to us, we do know that they'll be well drilled and fit with a
hard taskmaster in Martyn Wood at the helm."

A challenge cup winner with Sheffield Eagles when they over turned Wigan,
Wood also played at Halifax where he played a season with BARLA coach John
Fieldhouse. The former Sharlston Rovers amateur coach emigrated to Australia
several years ago and after settling into the culture became coach at
Rockingham Sharks.

The BARLA side will have to be on their toes against the Sharks who are all
unknowns other than 2 former BARLA tourists in their ranks Lee Gudor
(Siddal) and Kevin Brown (Eastmoor) who went 'down under' at the start of
their season after impressing in the NCL.

Fieldhouse said

"Lee and Kev both played for BARLA last season and were in the Dubai 7s
squad. They are quality players and from the match reports I've seen are
showing the same qualities for the Sharks. We'll have to keep our eye out
for Lee Gudors kicking game and Kev is very elusive and crafty."

The opening game played on Saturday 11th June at Rockingham Sharks ground
Unirig (Lark hill) Sportsplex kicks off 6.30pm local time. Score updates
will be available on twitter follow '@barlaontour'.

BARLA GB Lions ready for Western Australia test

The BARLA Great Britain lions are all set for their
June 6th departure to Western Australia for the chance in a lifetime UNISON
sponsored tour.

The highlight of the 4 match tour will be the final
game against a Western Australia representative side being played as a curtain
raiser to the NRL clash between Russell Crowe’s South Sydney and Brisbane
Broncos as they take their game on the road to the nib Stadium in Perth.

Head coach John Fieldhouse assisted by fellow
Lancastrian Kevin Thompson had their final session last Sunday in preparation
for the 3 week tour and the former GB international Fieldhouse believes his 26
man squad are geared up to deliver the tour mission of returning undefeated.

John Fieldhouse,

“The squad we’ve assembled is one filled with
ability and were equipped to do the job in hand. Since the last major open age
tour 2 years ago to the South Pacific we’ve had a high turnaround of players
with many furthering themselves into the pro game. From that tour we have 7
players with great experience and I’ll be looking to them to lead the debutants
throughout the tour.”

Fieldhouse and his management have named Skirlaugh
prop forward Trevor Penrose as the tour captain and Leigh East fullback Ryan
Fieldhouse as the on field captain. The pair will be joined by Kells centre
Scott Lofthouse to make a trio of team leaders that will offer guidance and tour
tutorage throughout the 3 weeks stay.

On the appointment Penrose said “It’s a great honour
to captain the tour squad and something I’m very committed to doing to the best
of my ability. The guys have gelled together very well and we’re all confident
we can go over to Australia and give a good account of ourselves both
individually and as a team of amateur players.”

The touring party will depart from Manchester
airport on Monday 6th June arriving in Perth late Tuesday evening after a
gruelling flight which includes a brief change at Dubai.

Head coach Fieldhouse has warned his players to be
ready to hit the ground running as they prepare for their first game versus
Rockingham Sharks 4 days after their arrival.

Fieldhouse said “We’ll have to look after ourselves
on the flight and I’m looking for some genuine hard work. It’s important that we
get a good start to the tour and that stems from the effort I expect from the
lads in training when we arrive.”

International manager Mick Turner has passed his
thanks onto the Western Australia Rugby League for the invitation to visit, the
organisation is looking to develop the code in the west and hopeful to launch a
NRL club bid in the not so distant future.

Turner said “It’s a massive opportunity for the
players and management and I’m thankful to WARL and our sponsors for making the
tour happen. The chance to play in front of 20,000 spectators as a NRL curtain
raiser is to be a truly momentous occasion and the perfect spectacle to conclude
the tour. ”

Interested parties can keep in touch with all the
developments on the tour through various media outlets. Follow @barlaontour on
twitter, like ‘BARLAontour’ on facebook or visit the dedicated touring website
www.barlaontour.co.uk to keep up to date with all the touring news and video
highlights.

Full Touring Squad

Trevor Penrose tour captain (Skirlaugh)

Ryan Fieldhouse team captain (Leigh East)

Stuart Smith (Skirlaugh)

Michael Johnson (Skirlaugh)

Carl Booth (Myton Warriors)

Chris Walker (Oulton Raiders)

Rhys Davies (Egremont Rangers)

John-Paul Brocklebank (Egremont Rangers)

Brett Philips (Seaton)

Scott Lofthouse (Kells)

Pat Foulstone (Shaw Cross Sharks)

Tom Radley (West Hull)

Sam Radford (West Hull)

Gary Philips (Wigan St Patricks)

Danny Mason (Wigan St Patricks)

Adam Holland (Leigh East)

Lee Fewlass (Myton Warriors)

Craig Jeffels (Castleford Lock Lane)

Steve McDermott (Halton Simms Cross)

Mike Randall (Halton Simms Cross)

Mike Ledger (Thatto Heath Crusaders)

David Lowery (Kells)

Tim Elliott (York Acorn)

Carl Puckering (East Hull)

Tom Bradbury (Leigh Miners)

Adam Thomason (Leigh Miners)

Tour Management

Mick Turner - International Manager

John Jefferson - Team Manager

John Fieldhouse - Head Coach (Leigh East)

Kevin Thompson - Assistant coach (Thatto Heath
Crusaders)

Stephen Thompson - Physio (York Acorn)

Spen Allison - Chairman

Jamie Hobbs - Media Manager (Sharlston Rovers)

Chris Mulgrew - Equipment Manager

Tour Itinerary

Mon 6th June - Depart Manchester Airport 14.15 to
Perth via Dubai

Tues 7th June – Arrive Perth 17.15

Sat 11th June – GAME 1 vs Rockingham Sharks

Weds 15th June – GAME 2 vs North Beach Sea Eagles

Tues 21st June – GAME 3 vs Fremantle Roosters

Fri 24th June – GAME 4 vs Western Australia, curtain
raiser to

South Sydney Rabbitoes v Brisbane Broncoes at nib
Stadium Perth.

Monday 27th – Arrive Manchester Airport

BARLA GREAT BRITAIN 21 MAN SQUAD NAMED TO BE PUT THROUGH PACES AT SHAW CROSS
SHARKS ARL

BARLA has confirmed a 21-man squad for the Over 35s
fixture with the Army Vets at Whitehaven on Sunday 10th July.

Coach Paul Crarey will put the following players
through their paces at Shaw Cross Sharks ARL, Dewsbury on Sunday 22nd May.

Jimmy Walker West Hull

Johan Windley West Hull

Mark Hewitt West Hull

Paul Heaton Dewsbury Celtic

Steve Morton Queens

Steve Perry Barrow Island

Steve Holgate Frizington

Lee Charlesworth Drighlington

Nigel Halmshaw West Bowling

Lee Frank York Acorn

Richard Pearson Siddal

Sean High Kells

Craig Chambers Kells

Paul McGee Seaton Rangers

Terry Reid Crosfields

Paul Dean Roose Pioneers

Ste Long Egremont Rangers

Andy Eatock Leigh East

Mick Whiteside Leigh East

Steve Reed Cockermouth

Craig McKinnon Barrow Island

Chris Highton to Tour Serbia

Ross Gainford, the nephew of Whitehaven coach David
Seeds, will captain the BARLA Young Lions on their week long, two match tour of
Serbia which departs these shores on the 5th June.

Gainsford toured South Africa a year ago with the
Young Lions and captained the side to a 76-0 win over the South Africa Junior
Development in the second match of the tour.

His Kells clubmate Lewis Wilson is the other member
of the squad to have toured last year.

Dave Roberts will again manage the tour with Mark
Robb and Colin Phillips sharing the coaching duties.

The side warm up with a match against the Army ‘A’
team at Shaw Cross Sharks ARLFC tomorrow, kick off 2.00pm.

The Young Lions Squad:

Ross Gainford (C) Kells

Todd Appleby Leigh Miners Rangers

Lewis Smith Kells

Adam Brummit Shaw Cross Sharks

Payden Candland Eccles

Jacob Crossland Normanton Knights

Sam Dowsett Askam

James Duerdan Walney Central

Chris Highton Seaton Rangers

Tom Holmes Walney Central

Ashley Hutchinson Wyke

Andy Lea Thatto Heath Crusaders

Jamie Martin Wath Brow Hornets

Matthew Meaden Ince Rose Bridge

Jack Morrison Ince Rose Bridge

Connor Myers Skirlaugh

Jack Ridsdill West Hull

Tom Saltmer Skirlaugh

Ben Swift Cockermouth Titans

James Usher Lindley Swifts

Mike Whittle Wigan St Judes

Lewis Wilson Kells

Rob Wilson West Hull

Management

Dave Roberts Manager

Robert Nicholson Assistant Manager

Mark Robb Coach

Colin Phillips Coach

Andrew Scaiffe Physio

Richaed de le Riveire Media Manager

THE BARLA GREAT
BRITAIN U/19 SQUAD NAMED FOR SERBIA

BARLA CALL UP FOR CHRIS HIGHTON!

Dave Roberts the Unison BARLA Great Britain Under 19s manager has named a
twenty two man squad to take part in the proposed two game tour of Serbia
following an invitation by them. The side will fly out on the 5th June and
return home on the 15th June.

The squad, chosen from last year's BARLA Counties U19's Tri-Series features
six players from Lancashire and eight from Yorkshire and Cumbria
respectively.

Dave Roberts the Unison BARLA Great Britain Under 19s Manager said,

"We have named a good squad using the 'Three Counties Under 19 Championship'
scenario as we did last year. We still have a couple of players which toured
South Africa last year which is great. I have been out and about the last
few months with those County games seeing the guys myself and sat down with
the coaching staff and put this strong squad together

"With Garry Schofield having gone to Barrow we have kept his partner Mark
Robb as coach and he is joined by Colin Phillips who was my assistant
manager last year. His background is that he is a qualified coach and it
made sense to keep everyone together and we have rewarded him for his
efforts and he will be joint head coach with Mark.

"Robert Nicholson who I have known for a number of years was assistant
manager at Yorkshire. He picked up last year's Conference Secretary of the
Year and is meticulous in his work; he has put so much hard work into the
game so it's nice to reward someone like that.

"Should we get the nod we'll be ready, I've personal experience of Serbian
players coming over and playing for my club for a couple of months and we
know they are of a good standard. We want to play and win the games but part
of the tour is to spread the word as BARLA does. We are making sure that we
can get to the schools, local clubs and take across our experience and
coaching knowledge to help them continue their development".

The Lions went out at the quarter final stage of the International Open
to Kenyan side Goal Attained Select but gave their all in a superb
effort against a side who had wracked up 104 points in their previous
three qualifying group games.

The Lions played some superb attacking rugby but were once again done by
the techniques of the game at the rucks, mauls as well as the hot
conditions and penalties.

It was from a penalty in the opening minute that the Lions went behind
as the Select ran the ball and Theo Cronje went in at the corner.

The Select knocked on as the Lions attacked and from the scrum scored a
cracking try as Gudor found Brocklebank and Foulstone crashed onto his
pass and go under the posts and finish it off with a crowd pleasing
somersault. Gudor added the extras and the Lions led by two points.

On five minutes Select regained the lead as they kept the ball alive
looking for the opening as the Lions tried to mark them man for man. But
Alshaun Gerswon went forward before slipping an inside ball to Cronje
for his second and Egon Seconds added the extras.

On the stroke of half time the Lions were badly done to as Foulstone
chased and caught a Gudor chip with clear grass in front of him, but the
referee called it back for offside against Foulstone.

From the penalty Lionel Curtis broke away but was superbly tackled by
Brocklebank but Curtis flicked the ball up for Benjamin Adams to take
and score to make it 17-7 at the break.

In the opening minute of the second half the Lions were undone by yet
another penalty and this time Adams registered his second and Seconds
added the extras to make it 24-7.

Two minutes later Foulstone made a superb 60 metre break down the middle
of the field and was tackled 20 metres out but the supporting Lions
failed to form the ruck in time to get the ball and Select took
possession of it.

Trevor Penrose (Skirlaugh) then took a pass with the ball and his arms
behind him and as he drove forward he juggled the ball to the front of
him before losing possession with him in a good position to score.

The Lions battled away and they were rewarded for their superb effort a
minute from time when Gudor did a run around with Chris Walker (Oulton
Raiders) to score under the posts with Gudor adding the extras.

The referee blew for time as the Lions attacked once again and although
beaten they gave their all and the rugby league family can be proud of
their efforts for the code.

The Lions went down for their first defeat in the tournament but moved
into the quarter finals of the International Open competition rather
than the plate. To make matters worse they failed to trouble the scorer
for the first time since they entered the Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby
Sevens.

They were hit by the penalty count and a try against run of play on the
stroke of half time as they battling to get back into the game. Having
said that when Ukraine opened up and attacked and were slick with the
ball in their hands and scored five unanswered tries.

In the opening minutes following a penalty Ukraine took the lead from
the tap by Alexsey Novrreschenos. The ball went to Oleg Kosariev who put
Sergey Yanghiy in at the corner for a 5-0 lead.

The Lions responded and on three minutes kept the ball alive and Chris
Walker‚€™s (Oulton Raiders) kick and chase was kicked dead forcing a
drop out.

But Ukraine forced the Lions to do the same and Lee Gudor‚€™s (Siddal)
70 metre drop out bounced into touch.

Then in the last seconds of the half as Ukraine attacked they appeared
to knock on but the referee allowed play on and Kosariev doubled their
lead.

In the opening minute of the half Kevin Brown (Eastmoor Dragons) kicked
the ball dead but this time Ukraine made them pay and Taras
Marchenko‚€™s arching run saw him score in the corner.

Pat Foulstone (Shaw Cross Sharks) tried to hit back with a quick fire
sprint down the middle for a forty metre run but was well tackled by the
Ukraine.

The Lions were then hit with a brace of tries in the last two minutes
both coming off penalties. On 12 minutes Sergey Monastrev scooted over
and also added the extras and Marchenko drove over for his brace in the
final seconds.

After having a bye in their first game after the late withdrawal of a
side the Unison BARLA Great Britain Lions got onto the field after a
five and half wait in the hot sunny weather in Dubai.

In a ding dong first half against the Kuwait Saracens, which saw the
sides level at half time the Lions closed out the game with two
converted tries in the last four minutes of the game and know that
victory over Ukraine tomorrow morning will see them top their group
going into the knock out stages in the main competition.

The Lions got off to a sensational start scoring the quickest try of the
day after 25 seconds. From the kick off Trevor Penrose (Skirlaugh)
jumped high to take the ball and instinctively passed it down the
blindside to Kevin Brown (Eastmoor Dragons). He passed outside to Pat
Foulstone (Shaw Cross Sharks) seventy metres out. From nothing he burst
down the wing and put a delicate chip over the defence. Accelerating
past a static defence he collected his kick and scorched down the wing
before going under the posts.

But the Saracens hit back on two minutes when they counter attacked,
kept the ball alive and Dane Lynch went over in the corner to pull the
lead back to two points.

Three minutes later the Saracens took the lead on the back of back to
back penalties and from the second a quick tap by Laitia Vateitei saw
the ball go out to Lynch who beat the cover and then went under the
sticks. Aminiasi Umu added the extras and his side led by two points.

The Lions responded and a bit of magic from skipper Lee Gudor (Siddal)
levelled the game up. There seemed nothing on as he took the ball on the
halfway line but his sublime chip kick left the Saracens defence flat
footed. He hacked the ball on and won the foot race over the tryline.
His conversion unluckily hit the post and bounced back into play.

The Saracens had the better of the opening of the second half and were
camped on the Lions line and stout defence held them out and they were
then undone on the Lions line. Pressing they dropped the ball and Stuart
Smith (Skirlaugh) collected the loose ball. He ran crossfield before
straightening up to run around the defence going 60 metres before
drawing the fullback and passing unselfishly to John Paul Brocklebank
(Egremont Rangers) went 40 metres untouched under the posts and
Gudor‚€™s extras made it 19-12.

This deflated the Saracens as the Lions took control and they cemented
the win in the last minute when Brett Phillips ((Seaton Rangers) bust
downfield before passing outside to Smith who this time put his winger
Michael Johnson (Skirlaugh) in at the corner for their fourth and final
try of the game.

Its all systems go for the BARLA Open
Age and Over 35‚€™s squads who have completed their pre tour
preparations and both squads are injury free as they prepare to
fly out to Abu Dhabi for the Emirates Airlines Dubai Sevens on
Sunday 28th November.

They leave Terminal 1 at Manchester Airport that morning and
arrive at their base, the Almanar Hotel Apartments, Dubai at
11.00pm that evening to begin their build up for their
respective tournaments which commence on Thursday 2nd December.

The UNISON BARLA Great Britain Lions are competing in the
International Open and the BARLA Bulldogs are playing in the
International Veterans events.

BARLA Great Britain International Manager Mick Turner said,

”We have once again been invited to this prestigious blue riband
event and will be representing the rugby league family giving
our great game further exposure as it is being developed in this
country. As well as competing in two competitions we are here to
spread the word of our great sport as others have done.”

”Both squads have gone through a rigorous selection policy and
have been learning the playing skills and rules of rugby union
and put them into practice on the training field. We will
continue that training and acclimatize ourselves to the hot
weather in the build up to the start of the competition on
Thursday.”

Sevens is a running game and we have plenty of pace in both
squads. We know what to expect this year and both teams hope to
build on what they achieved last year and we hope that the rugby
league family will get behind us.”

ALL
AT SEATON RANGERS WOULD LIKE TO WISH BRETT PHILLIPS A HIGHLY
SUCCESFUL TOUR AS HE FOLLOWS IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF ROGER BLAIR AND
RICHARD GEORGE IN ACHIEVING FULL BARLA STATUS, WHICH HIS
OUTSTANDING EFFORTS FOR CLUB AND COUNTY FULLY MERIT.

ON
BEHALF OF BRETT AND THE CLUB WE WOULD ALSO LIKE TO THANK ALL THE
SPONSORS AND EVERYONE WHO BACKED HIS FUNDRAISING NIGHTS FOR
THERE EFFORTS IN MAKING THIS POSSIBLE

Callum ready for Schoolboys test

After
facing the Australian Schoolboys down under last year, Callum Phillips is
looking forward to facing them on home soil this time round.

The Seaton youngster was part of the Great Britain Community Lions tour party
which took part in a six-game trip last year and he’s now preparing to take on
the schoolboys in their 2010 tour of the UK.

”Going out to Australia was an amazing experience and despite us not getting the
results we wanted in the two test matches we still had a great tour winning
three of our games,” said Callum.

An electrician by trade, Callum has returned to club rugby with a renewed
confidence and his West Cumbria side have been the ones to benefit as he led
them to the 2010 Gillette National Youth League title and also scooped the GNYLs
Player of the Year in the same season.

”I’ve been happy with my form for West Cumbria and we had a really good season
this year,” said the 18 year.

”The form we’ve shown as a unit has been rewarded with myself and a few of my
team mates getting selected for the national side so its really a big credit to
all the coaches and players back at Wests.”

Despite been a Community Lions veteran with 12 caps to his name already,
Phillips has targeted at least one more appearance for the GB Community Lions, a
test match clash against the Schoolboys at Whitehaven on 1 December.

”I’ve been lucky to have played for both the England and Great Britain Community
Lions, but to get selected for a test match that’s been played in my local area
would be a great way to finish,” said the 18 year old.

”Hopefully if I can perform well in an England shirt then I’ll be asked to play
for Great Britain as well and I know that would be really good for my family and
friends as they‚€™d all want to come along and cheer us on.”

As for the future Callum is also keen to get as far as he can in the game.

”I’m 18 now so have not got long left at the age group, but if possible I’d
really like to make it as a professional if possible.”

”I’ve had a few games for the Whitehaven reserve side and they went pretty well,
so I’ll just keep training hard and working on my game and hopefully I’ll get a
chance to progress my career.”

The Wales and England under 18 sides fought out a thrilling 26-all draw at
Caerphilly on Wednesday night but both sides know that they must lift their game
when they both come up against the might of Australia in their next games.

Wales take on the Australians in Caerphilly again next Tuesday while the English
will face them at Featherstone Rovers ground three days later on Friday 26th
November. Both games kick-off at 7.30pm.

England
came into the Welsh game on the back of a 34-8 defeat to France Juniors in
Bordeaux and it looked like they were going the same way in Caerphilly in the
first 20 minutes when Wales dominated.

But England pulled the game back, taking the lead in the second half before a
late Chris Davies try, his second of the game, ensured that the spoils were
shared.

An early England chance was wasted when Ryan Smith attempted to set up Blake
Mahovic but the centre fumbled and possession was lost.

But Wales took the lead from their first attack when Dale Evans set up South
Wales Scorpions new signing Chris Davies who twisted his way over. Courtney
Davies added the easy conversion.

England struck back on eight minutes when Birmingham Bulldogs Ryan Millar
pounced on a loose ball following a grubber kick. Luke Willings kick was
centimetres wide to leave the visitors two points behind.

Wales extended their lead on the quarter hour. Jean Baptiste Bruzhulier, from
Cardiff would you believe, set up the score by running 60 metres breaking free
of the England backline.

He laid off to Dafydd Carter who in turn set up James Griffiths to score in the
corner.

Straight away Wales scored again when Dale Evans completed a fine attacking move
involving most of the backs. Courtney Davies had missed the previous conversion
but made no mistake this time to make the score 16-4 to Wales.

England came back again when Millar scored his and England‚€™s second in exactly
the same position as the first on 24 minutes. David Pyke converted.

And four minutes later they were level when Jacob Blades set up Nathan Slater
to go in just left of the sticks and Pyke goaled again.

But Wales went into half-time with a 20-16 lead when Dafydd Carter set up
Matthew Crane to go over. Davies kick was only just wide of the posts.

They almost extended their advantages six minutes into the second half but
Michael Channing was pulled into touch by Jacob Blades when diving for the line.

England recovered, worked their way up the field and Jack Francis broke through
to sprint the last 20 metres to the line to level the scores again. Pyke missed
the kick.

From then on it was end to end as both sides tried to get a winner. Englands
Joe Bullock fumbled behind his own line but Wales didnt take advantage on the
resulting set of six.

The visitors took advantage from their next attack as Blake Mahovic scored a
fine individual try with Pyke converting for England to take the lead for the
first time on 55 minutes.

Wales pushed for another equaliser. Courtney Davies kicked a cheeky grubber but
Morgan was beaten to the ball by his opposite number Jacob Blades.

Morgan was then denied for a second time from the restart, being pushed into
touch ten metres from the try-line by a pack of England defenders.

But Wales finally crossed the line three minutes from time with Chris Davies
getting his second under the sticks and Courtney Davies converting.

“Credit
to the lads that they fought hard to earn a draw but we were disappointed not to
have won,” said Wales coach Stuart Williams.

”We know were playing catch-up with England all the time with the amount of
experience they have, but we’ve not lost to them in the last four outings now
which is some achievement. And to be disappointed to earn a draw shows how far
we’ve come in the last few years”

The
England Community Lions will complete a final training session this weekend
before they set of for the south of France on Monday.

Coach Kelvin Lockett has named an 18-man squad that will travel to Bordeaux for the one off
test match against France Juniors on Wednesday November 3.

The travelling squad has been named from a larger 26-man party that will
reconvene for further training sessions ahead of the sides two other games this
autumn against Wales
and the touring Australian Schoolboys.

Both England and Wales players will be looking to perform in the
coming weeks ahead of the selection of a Great Britain side that will also
face the Australian tourists.

BARLA
COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP
CUMBRIA 20
LANCASHIRE 18
At Millom
CUMBRIA and Yorkshire will meet at College Grove, Wakefield, on Sunday 21
November with the 2010/11 BARLA County Championship at stake....The winner
will lift the title following victories for both sides over Lancashire
in the opening two fixtures.Cumbria had to wait until the 39th minute yesterday
at Millom before taking the lead, a try by substitute David Lowery of Kells,
converted by loose forward and club colleague Tony Burns, helping establish a
16-12 interval lead.The home side, orchestrated to fine effect by
Egremont stand-off John Paul Brocklebank, the man of the match, went on to have
the better of the second period, stretching their lead when Egremont benchman
Peter Bewsher crashed over 10 minutes after the resumption.That was how it stayed until five minutes from
time, when Wigan St Cuthberts stand-off Jamie Dallimore crossed for Lancashire and added his third goal. The visitors,
however, never looked like snatching the try that would have denied Cumbria.It had all been so very different in the early
stages, when the Red Rose men had led 10-4 with the help of tries by scrum-half
Steve McDermott, of Simms Cross, and Leigh East winger Andrew Groves.Kells centre Scott Lofthouse and Barrow Island
winger Sam Jones hit back for Cumbria, Burns converting the second score,
crucially in the event, from the touchline.

CUMBRIA must beat Yorkshire
by at least nine points, when the sides meet at College Grove, Wakefield, on Sunday 21 November in the final
game of the series, to secure the 20...10/11 BARLA Under 19s County Championship.Thats the reality facing the youngsters from the
far north west after Lancashire
kept their own hopes alive yesterday by bouncing back in stunning style from
36-10 down at the break to snatch a draw. The Red Rose side will top the table
if Cumbria fail to manage a
nine-point victory, if Yorkshire prevail, or
should the sides draw.Cumbria, with Wath Brow prop Jamie Martin
outstanding as man of the match, looked on course for a huge win when they
sucked on their interval lemons reflecting on two tries for Broughton Red Rose
winger Shane Cusack and touchdowns by scrum-half Callum Phillips and winger
Chris Highton - both of Seaton - supported by efforts from second row Matthew
Bewsher (Egremont), Askam hooker Sam Dowsett and Walney Central centre James
Duerden.Kells stand-off Ross Gainford had landed three
goals, and Millom loose forward James Newton had kicked an early conversion,
but the expected rout failed to materialise in an incredible reversal of
fortunes.Lancashire, who had beaten Yorkshire 28-19 in late
September, could only muster tries by Wigan St Judes winger Kevin Lindley and InceRoseBridge prop Jack Morrison
in the first half. But the Red Rose outfit, inspired by the front row of
Morrison and St Judes duo Mick Whittle and Aaron Smith, posted five unanswered
touchdowns in the second period.West Bank Bears centre Oliver Fay, Whittle, Lindley
and outstanding Ince scrum-half Matty Meardon all swept over, Meardon adding
three conversions to his first half goal, to reduce the deficit to four points.With six minutes left, Leigh East substitute Kieron
Johnson crossed to level matters; but Meardons testing shot, which if
successful would have secured the title outright, drifted wide, leaving
shattered Cumbria
with a lifeline still in place.

The BARLA Vice Presidents Select side made up of players
from Lancashire and Yorkshire took the spoils against the BARLA Cumbria side in
“The Garry Purdham Memorial Trust Game” and the skills on display by both sides
auger well for the start of next months BARLA Counties Tri Series.

Watched by the RFL President Bev Risman, who saw a tough
physical encounter especially in the first half the Presidents led 12-0. Two
tries in the opening ten minutes of the second half gave them the momentum they
needed, although the biggest cheers of the game came from Cumbria’s brace of tries scored by
John Paul Brocklebank (Egremont Rangers) and Paul Culneen (Kells).

Amongst the Presidents scorers was captain Ryan Fieldhouse
(Leigh East) who crossed for two four pointers one from supporting play and the
second a fine individual effort in his man of the match performance.

For Cumbria second row tough as teak forward Brett Phillips
(Seaton Rangers) never took a backward step and looked threatening every time
he drove forward.

After both sides completed a number of sets Cumbria created
the first real pressure on the back of quick fire four penalties but after
losing possession near to the line frustration saw themselves conceded one
which led to the Presidents opening try against run of play on ten minutes.

From the play the ball they attacked down the short side
with a superb scoot from hooker Gary Phillips (Wigan St Patricks) who had to
duck under a Cumbria
tackle to break away. He drew the cover before passing out to Lee Rientoul
(York Acorn) for the first of his brace. Shaun Quinn (Thatto Heath Crusaders)
added the first of his six from seven goals.

The game became a forward driven contest with Cumbrias
Brocklebank probing for the opening with his distribution and kicking game.
Cumbria forward Peter Beucher (Egremont Rangers) thought he had opened his sides
account when he went over following an inside pass only for it to be crossed
off for a forward pass.

The Presidents doubled their lead from nothing on the half
hour mark. Brocklebank spiralling bomb was superbly taken by winger Mike
Johnson (Myton Warriors) on his own twenty line. He then stormed 60 metres down
the touchline before cutting inside and pass to Fieldhouse who went under the
posts for a converted try.

Tim Elliott (York Acorn) had a half chance on 35 minutes but
couldn’t take the pass ten metres from the line and on the stroke of half time
Dean Balmers (Leigh Miners Rangers) ankle tackle stopped Brocklebank as he was
getting into top gear charging for the line.

The visitors took control with two tries in five minutes on
the 42 and 47 minutes. Following a flowing handling move Trevor Penrose
(Skirlaugh) who started the move finished it off taking an inside pass and
crossing under the posts and another fine attack was finished by Sean Squires
in the corner when Quinn missed his only shot at goal.

The Presidents fifth try came on 51 minutes following a
penalty for a dangerous tackle on Penrose. Lee Gudor (Siddal) and Jamie
Dallimore (Wigan St Cuthberts) combined to give Fieldhouse the ball who first
went to his left before switching back with an angle run which found a hole in
the Cumbria
defence for him to dance through and score a converted try to make it 28-0.

Gudor then put the first of his 30-20 in but they were
penalised on the next set and as a result Brocklebank went over after
supporting a Grant McLaughlin (Kells) break on 57 minutes with Tony Burns
kicking his solitary goal.

Six minutes later Stuart Smith (Skirlaugh) picked Ryan Amours
(Wath Brow Hornets) pocket following a Gudor kick to score in the corner which
Dallimore converted before Paul Culneen drove over from close range for Cumbria.

The Presidents finished the game off in style in the last
seven minutes when Lee Fewlass (Myton Warriors) crashed over from close range
following Tommy Harrisons (Skirlaugh) bullet pass after a Gudor 30-20 and
Rentoul went over in the corner with the last play of the game.

BARLA Great Britain Under
21s scored am emphatic victory over the British Army at WalterSimpsonPark,
in Hull as part
of their “Help the Heroes” tour.

It was the Army who showed first to score with their first set of six with a
try in the left corner for full back Marcus Turagh. Andy Gray failed to add the
conversion and it shocked BARLA but who replied with two quick tries of their
won.

Full back Ryan Amor scored them both with captain Tony Burns able to land both
conversions for a 12-4 lead. It was then man of the match John Paul Brocklebank
who darted through to the line with another from centre Jamie Devine seven
minutes later. Nine minutes from half-time second row forward Adam Thomasson
then crashed over for a 20 point half-time lead.

The opening minutes of the first half saw sustained Army pressure which paid
off with a try from hooker Andy Kay. He got a somewhat lucky bounce to his own
kick through to score with Andy Gray adding the conversion.

BARLA then upped the tempo to register four more tries as winger Shaun Robinson
went in at the corner with an hour gone. Thomasson added his second four
minutes later before Scott Clarke went on a 60 metre dash to the line and
centre Daryl Flannery completed the scoring.

Brocklebank added three conversions but the Army had the final say on the
scoreboard when in the last minute winger Isiai Bobo squeezed in at the corner.
Gray failed to put over the conversion attempt off the touchline.

Q You’ve just completed a successful tour of Russia with the BARLA
Unison under 21s team, what are your impressions of Russia
as a country and what state is the game of rugby league in Russia?

Russia
as a country is really good in the city centres like in St Petersburg the
history and some of the buildings were really good to look at and in the centre
of Moscow there’s quite a bit of wealth there and seeing the red square and
changing of the guards at the war memorial was something that ill never see
again. But on the outskirts of the cities it was quite a poor culture and not a
lot there. The rugby league is not as big as union over there and they haven’t
got that many teams but the Moscow Vereya team that we played were quite good,
even though they got a lot of help from the Russian officials they were
just quite physical and never stopped trying.

Q Your first games were cancelled due to unsuitable opposition
what was the reason for the cancellation?

This
was because the Russian who was supposed to have organised it all when we were
in St Petersburg had not organised it properly and out of three teams
supposedly playing in the tournament only four players turned up and in
addition to this the conditions of where we played at were awful and not
suitable to play on.

Q You played the Russian champions Veraya who make up the
bulk of the Russian national team, what was the game like and how did the speed
and physicality compare to what you are used to?

The
speed and physicality was a bit more than when playing in the Cumbria league
but we should have won, the officials kept them in it not letting us
in there 20 for most of the game by giving penalties against us which led to a
18 - 5 penalty count to them which was frustrating. It was one of them things
that you don’t know how bad the referee was unless you actually witnessed
it.

Q Is there anybody you would like to thank for making
the tour possible? and now that you have been on a couple of BARLA tours and
came very close to being selected for the full BARLA tour to Dubai what is next
for yourself?

Just
to try and push for full open age BARLA honours or a big tour. I would like to
thank Alison and hotdog who sorted all the sponsorships and everyone at the
club for supporting me on the tour and also to the sponsors who helped make it
possible Happy Hours Nursery, A.A Carpets, C&D Roofing, West
Cumberland Engineering and Shepley engineering.